Freaking Out...
I've been post menopausal for a little over two years. Several months ago I had an episode of spotting that lasted a couple of days. I really paid little attention to it as it was very, very light. I only noticed it when I wiped after using the bathroom and it wasn't enough to require a panty liner. I did find it odd but it was here and gone before I felt any concern.
About 2 months ago I noticed I was having frequent lower back pain on my right side. I though I might be drinking too much Pepsi and it was affecting my kidneys. I've never had that problem before but that's what came to mind given the location of the pain. The pain still comes and goes despite my dialing back my Pepsi intake and increasing my water intake.
I also found myself often feeling crampy. That low, heavy feeling accompanied by cramps in my tummy that I used to get prior to day one of my period and it would usually recede as soon as my period started.
I had decided to make an appt. to see my family doctor as soon as Xmas was over. Right after New Years Day I got a letter stating that the doctors in our family doctors practice were all leaving the group they belonged to and opening a new office Feb. 1. So I put off making the doctor appointment thinking it could wait until the new office was up and running.
I called the first Monday in Feb. and made an appt. My appt. is for Feb. 25th.
This past Monday I began to have the spotting again. Very watery, pinkish spotting. Added to the back and tummy aches I've been having made me wonder what the heck was up. Could I be going to have a period again after all this time? Is that what this was all about?
So I went where I always go when my curiosity is piqued...Dr. Google. The only thing that popped up when I googled "What would cause spotting in a post menopausal woman" was uterine cancer. The symptoms I am having are all listed in the list of symptoms for UC. Que instant freaking out!!
My question is this...would I be overreacting if I called my doctor Monday morning and insist she refer me to a OB/GYN asap?
My old ob/gyn retired about 6 yrs. ago and I've been having my yearly pap tests with my family doctor. I know if this is something serious she will need to refer me to a gynecologist anyway. My feeling is given what I have going on and what I've read on the internet I shouldn't fiddle around waiting for my Feb. 25th appt. to come and then wait additional time to get in to see a gynecologist.
Also as the week has progressed the spotting has not stopped. If I do too much the spotting becomes slightly heavier and bright red. The cramping also has increased, though the back pain hasn't been too evident.
Am I overreacting to what I've read on the internet or am I reacting appropriately?
Comments
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HI! And Welcome
I think your actions are appropriate given the symptoms. The sooner you see a doctor the better. A doctor can answer your questions and put your mind at ease. I hope your symptoms are nothing to worry about. Having a qualified health care person evaluate you and your unique situation is the only way to know what is going on with your body.
Then, may I suggest, take one day at a time. The worst time for me during my situation was the time between deciding to see someone about my symptoms and diagnosis. I hate the unknown. And seems like that is what might be going on with you.
Please keep posting. I am wishing the very best for you. Norma0 -
From what I've read on the
From what I've read on the 'net, like you may have found, it may be that you're reacting appropriately and an OBgyn is appropriate. A uterine "d and c" or uterine biopsy is probably indicated. An ultrasound alone might not pick up everything.
I would go to the obgyn and tell them that you want it out. All of it, uterus, tubes, ovaries, cervix (my cancer was in everything listed). That you've read the 'net and you aren't going to settle for anything less than a uterine biopsy.
But I've also been told that my uterine cancer is a very slow growing animal. That I probably have had it for 8 years before it was apparent and I got treatment for it. Mine was adenocarcinoma.
During all of this, and from what I've seen from others' stories, I get the feeling that docs don't think that a few weeks delay in treatment is a big thing. That, if you've got what you've got, it won't make a huge difference if it takes 1 or 5 weeks to start treatment.
I'm not saying that I'm sure that's true for everyone's situation. I do think that diligence is indicated though.
I'm sorry if I appear blunt. But I can't conscientiously avoid giving you what I believe is a responsible answer. Good luck, try not to obsess, think positively.0 -
AppropriateLisa 00 said:From what I've read on the
From what I've read on the 'net, like you may have found, it may be that you're reacting appropriately and an OBgyn is appropriate. A uterine "d and c" or uterine biopsy is probably indicated. An ultrasound alone might not pick up everything.
I would go to the obgyn and tell them that you want it out. All of it, uterus, tubes, ovaries, cervix (my cancer was in everything listed). That you've read the 'net and you aren't going to settle for anything less than a uterine biopsy.
But I've also been told that my uterine cancer is a very slow growing animal. That I probably have had it for 8 years before it was apparent and I got treatment for it. Mine was adenocarcinoma.
During all of this, and from what I've seen from others' stories, I get the feeling that docs don't think that a few weeks delay in treatment is a big thing. That, if you've got what you've got, it won't make a huge difference if it takes 1 or 5 weeks to start treatment.
I'm not saying that I'm sure that's true for everyone's situation. I do think that diligence is indicated though.
I'm sorry if I appear blunt. But I can't conscientiously avoid giving you what I believe is a responsible answer. Good luck, try not to obsess, think positively.
I agree that it would be appropriate to request a referral to a GYN. That seems to me the quickest way to find out what is going on. Godspeed and keep us posted. There are a lot of very supportive and knowledgable women here.0 -
Thanksdeanna14 said:Appropriate
I agree that it would be appropriate to request a referral to a GYN. That seems to me the quickest way to find out what is going on. Godspeed and keep us posted. There are a lot of very supportive and knowledgable women here.
Thanks for letting me know you don't think I'm overreacting. I am calling my doctors office at 8 a.m. tomorrow. Hopefully by the end of the day I'll have an appt. set up to find out what's going on!
I'll let you know what I find out.
Again...thank you!0 -
My 2 cents worth...Lemon Poppy said:Thanks
Thanks for letting me know you don't think I'm overreacting. I am calling my doctors office at 8 a.m. tomorrow. Hopefully by the end of the day I'll have an appt. set up to find out what's going on!
I'll let you know what I find out.
Again...thank you!
I don't think you are over reacting. I would certainly urge you to have a hysteroscopy and D&C rather than just a uterine biopsy. In my estimation, the uterine biopsy is just a "stab in the dark" so to speak...and I think it is much better to scrape the entire uterus plus see visually what is going on! My GP actually did the D&C and could see an area of "concern" even before the path report was done. Once the CA was diagnosed, she referred me immediately to a gyn-oncologist.
Hugs to you on this journey!!
Karen0 -
Freaking Out!!!
Glad you have found this site of sisters to ask questions about your symptoms. I am so sorry to hear of your symptoms. Your symptoms sound familiar to many of us on this site.
Run don't walk to the nearest gynecologist.
Do you actually need a referral to see a GYN?
See a gynecologist as soon as you can and have a biopsy done.
Once you have a biopsy done it will take about 5 days to have the pathology report done and back to the GYN office. If you do have cancer they will likely call you on the phone and let you know and also make a referral to a gynecological oncologist.
You are in my prayers for a positive outcome. Please don't delay seeing a gynecologist.
Tell the scheduling person that you are post menopausal and that you think you may have cancer. If they tell you it will take 2 or 3 weeks to get appointment----be persistent and tell them that won't due. Find a gynecologist who can see you sooner!0 -
ThanksNorthwoodsgirl said:Freaking Out!!!
Glad you have found this site of sisters to ask questions about your symptoms. I am so sorry to hear of your symptoms. Your symptoms sound familiar to many of us on this site.
Run don't walk to the nearest gynecologist.
Do you actually need a referral to see a GYN?
See a gynecologist as soon as you can and have a biopsy done.
Once you have a biopsy done it will take about 5 days to have the pathology report done and back to the GYN office. If you do have cancer they will likely call you on the phone and let you know and also make a referral to a gynecological oncologist.
You are in my prayers for a positive outcome. Please don't delay seeing a gynecologist.
Tell the scheduling person that you are post menopausal and that you think you may have cancer. If they tell you it will take 2 or 3 weeks to get appointment----be persistent and tell them that won't due. Find a gynecologist who can see you sooner!
I'm glad I found this site too! I have no idea if I need a referral to see a gyn but since I don't have one presently I'm mainly consulting my doctor for her opinion on who to call and possibly for her to pave the way for me to get in asap. My family doctor is amazing and when my mammogram detected a area of concern in my breast she got me an appt. with one of the top breast surgeons in Columbus within 2 days. So I'm hoping she can do the same with this situation.
I've felt crappy all weekend. Very crampy and also bloated feeling. I keep wondering how much of it is in my head now that I've read so much and how much of it is real. Tomorrow can't come soon enough for me.
Again, thanks for the kind words of support.0 -
symptoms sounds familiarLemon Poppy said:Thanks
I'm glad I found this site too! I have no idea if I need a referral to see a gyn but since I don't have one presently I'm mainly consulting my doctor for her opinion on who to call and possibly for her to pave the way for me to get in asap. My family doctor is amazing and when my mammogram detected a area of concern in my breast she got me an appt. with one of the top breast surgeons in Columbus within 2 days. So I'm hoping she can do the same with this situation.
I've felt crappy all weekend. Very crampy and also bloated feeling. I keep wondering how much of it is in my head now that I've read so much and how much of it is real. Tomorrow can't come soon enough for me.
Again, thanks for the kind words of support.
hi,
your symptoms sound familiar to me to, sorry to say. im glad to here your going to see a dr. asap. i pray every thing is well.i went through a lot of testing and they did not find cancer until they did a ct scan .
god bless, and ill be thinking of you
d.lee0 -
Appointmentd.lee said:symptoms sounds familiar
hi,
your symptoms sound familiar to me to, sorry to say. im glad to here your going to see a dr. asap. i pray every thing is well.i went through a lot of testing and they did not find cancer until they did a ct scan .
god bless, and ill be thinking of you
d.lee
I have an appt. Monday @ 2:00 to have a uterine biopsy.
How long did it take for you all to get your results?
Hopefully it's not long. I'm going crazier by the minute. I'm finding that as long as I sit around I don't bleed too much at all but the minute I begin to do stuff around the house the bleeding goes from pinkish to bright red. Did anyone else experience that?
I'm a bundle of nerves.
0 -
AppointmentLemon Poppy said:Appointment
I have an appt. Monday @ 2:00 to have a uterine biopsy.
How long did it take for you all to get your results?
Hopefully it's not long. I'm going crazier by the minute. I'm finding that as long as I sit around I don't bleed too much at all but the minute I begin to do stuff around the house the bleeding goes from pinkish to bright red. Did anyone else experience that?
I'm a bundle of nerves.
My bleeding was pretty much frank blood-bright red. I totally understand how anxiety provoking the wait is. I got my biopsy report via a phone call from my Gyn. I got the call 5 days later. They sent my biopsy to Chicago with Quest Labs I think. It may take less time if your specimen goes to a closer lab. My heart goes out to you. It is so hard to think of the worst case scenario which all of us on this discussion board have experienced. Praying for you to be told it is something other than cancer.0 -
Getting results backLemon Poppy said:Appointment
I have an appt. Monday @ 2:00 to have a uterine biopsy.
How long did it take for you all to get your results?
Hopefully it's not long. I'm going crazier by the minute. I'm finding that as long as I sit around I don't bleed too much at all but the minute I begin to do stuff around the house the bleeding goes from pinkish to bright red. Did anyone else experience that?
I'm a bundle of nerves.
In general, most results are available in 24 hours. if done locally. I had my D&C on a Friday and my dr. called me at 11:00 on Monday with my diagnosis. When I went to the gyn oncologist, that was a different story. Most drs. say it takes 5-7 days but think that is just because it gives them time to get the report and review it, etc.
You have a right to your medical records and can always go to the hospital where you have your lab work, x-rays etc. done and get a copy for your records. I generally get the copies 24 hours after the test.
I understand your anxiety....try to take a deep breath!
Karen0 -
Getting Copieskkstef said:Getting results back
In general, most results are available in 24 hours. if done locally. I had my D&C on a Friday and my dr. called me at 11:00 on Monday with my diagnosis. When I went to the gyn oncologist, that was a different story. Most drs. say it takes 5-7 days but think that is just because it gives them time to get the report and review it, etc.
You have a right to your medical records and can always go to the hospital where you have your lab work, x-rays etc. done and get a copy for your records. I generally get the copies 24 hours after the test.
I understand your anxiety....try to take a deep breath!
Karen
Not to worry on that one. My husband had some real issues when he was diagnosed with Diabetes. His numbers were up, down and all around. I got copies of every set of labs, made up an excel spreadsheet and charted them! I still do that even though we finally have his blood sugar under control.
So yeah, I'll be getting copies of everything that has my name on it, guaranteed.
Someone (sorry can't remember who) said I should insist on a D&C and hysterscopy instead of the uterine biopsy. I will definitely bring this up to the doctor when I see him on Monday. I've never met this doctor before so I'm not quite sure what to expect. I did do a search on him and found quite a few reviews written by patients and he sounds like he's a very personable doctor who listens. My kind of doctor. Plus my family doctor highly recommended him and I trust her implicitly. So I will definitely bring up my desire to have testing that is guaranteed to find anything if it is there. Thanks for that info.
In the meantime I feel like crap. I had to run errands today and by the time I got home 2 hrs. later I was a crampy mess. I took some advil and a nap but I still feel awful. Monday can't get here soon enough.0 -
ThanksNorthwoodsgirl said:Appointment
My bleeding was pretty much frank blood-bright red. I totally understand how anxiety provoking the wait is. I got my biopsy report via a phone call from my Gyn. I got the call 5 days later. They sent my biopsy to Chicago with Quest Labs I think. It may take less time if your specimen goes to a closer lab. My heart goes out to you. It is so hard to think of the worst case scenario which all of us on this discussion board have experienced. Praying for you to be told it is something other than cancer.
Thanks for sharing your experience. While on one hand a lot of what I read here scares me to death, on the other it also calms me that so many face this same thing and manage it well. So there's a sense of "if this the worst...I can and will handle it".
My bleeding is still manageable by a panty liner, but it is increasingly remaining bright red instead of the pinkish/brown/watery spotting of almost 2 wks. ago.
Thank you for your prayers...always appreciated
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My appt. todayLemon Poppy said:Getting Copies
Not to worry on that one. My husband had some real issues when he was diagnosed with Diabetes. His numbers were up, down and all around. I got copies of every set of labs, made up an excel spreadsheet and charted them! I still do that even though we finally have his blood sugar under control.
So yeah, I'll be getting copies of everything that has my name on it, guaranteed.
Someone (sorry can't remember who) said I should insist on a D&C and hysterscopy instead of the uterine biopsy. I will definitely bring this up to the doctor when I see him on Monday. I've never met this doctor before so I'm not quite sure what to expect. I did do a search on him and found quite a few reviews written by patients and he sounds like he's a very personable doctor who listens. My kind of doctor. Plus my family doctor highly recommended him and I trust her implicitly. So I will definitely bring up my desire to have testing that is guaranteed to find anything if it is there. Thanks for that info.
In the meantime I feel like crap. I had to run errands today and by the time I got home 2 hrs. later I was a crampy mess. I took some advil and a nap but I still feel awful. Monday can't get here soon enough.
I had my appt. with the gynecologist today.
He tried doing a transvaginal ultrasound in the office, but he was having difficulties with his ultrasound machine So I am going to another center tomorrow a.m. for one. He is looking for fibroids, cysts, polyps and to get a measurement of my uterine lining.
He was able to do the endometrial biopsy and let me just say that F'ing hurt! I broke out in a cold sweat!! m
He then sent me to the lab for blood work. He wanted to check y blood count, thyroid and he had them do a CA 125.
He said he should have the results of all tests by Friday afternoon and his office would call me with the results. I also have a follow up appt. next Thursday to discuss all the results and depending on results we'd plan where to go from here.
So now I wait...some more.0 -
Hope you get good resultsLemon Poppy said:My appt. today
I had my appt. with the gynecologist today.
He tried doing a transvaginal ultrasound in the office, but he was having difficulties with his ultrasound machine So I am going to another center tomorrow a.m. for one. He is looking for fibroids, cysts, polyps and to get a measurement of my uterine lining.
He was able to do the endometrial biopsy and let me just say that F'ing hurt! I broke out in a cold sweat!! m
He then sent me to the lab for blood work. He wanted to check y blood count, thyroid and he had them do a CA 125.
He said he should have the results of all tests by Friday afternoon and his office would call me with the results. I also have a follow up appt. next Thursday to discuss all the results and depending on results we'd plan where to go from here.
So now I wait...some more.
Glad you got into the gynocologist so you could get some tests done to hopefully give you some answers. You are so right that the endometrial biopsy hurts. They told me it would cramp a little before I had mine done. It was more that "a little cramp". Glad you have it over with.
Try to be patient with your waiting. I know it is hard to do. In peace and caring.0 -
I got a call from the dr.s office this afternoon. The nurse said my CBC was good, the CA 125 was in normal limits and my thyroid was quite high. She said the dr. would discuss a course of action for the thyroid when I go back next Thurs.Ro10 said:Hope you get good results
Glad you got into the gynocologist so you could get some tests done to hopefully give you some answers. You are so right that the endometrial biopsy hurts. They told me it would cramp a little before I had mine done. It was more that "a little cramp". Glad you have it over with.
Try to be patient with your waiting. I know it is hard to do. In peace and caring.
She said if I had not heard from her by noon Friday to call her. The results of the biopsy and ultrasound should be in by then.
I'm taking the results of the CA 125 as a good sign though.
Back to waiting...0
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